Long before she became one of Britain’s brightest golfing stars, Charley Hull’s heart was already won over by two white German Shepherds—Bella and Esmee. Bella was her first, the playful companion often seen bounding around in her social media posts. A couple of years later, Hull welcomed Esmee into her life, and the two dogs quickly became inseparable, filling her world with unconditional love and joy away from the pressures of the course. From sharing adorable snapshots of them playing together to calling them her “𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 girls,” Hull often showed fans that her bond with her pups was as precious as any trophy.

But now, just two years after saying goodbye to Bella, which was sudden. The 28-year-old golfer is mourning again. Esmee, her second German Shepherd, has sadly passed away, leaving Hull devastated.

Charley Hull shared the sad news just a few hours ago. She posted a story with the photo of the two dogs and wrote a heartfelt goodbye to her “𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 girl.” She wrote, “Rest in peace, my beautiful 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 girl Esmee. You was the best, so sad.😢Now you’re back reunited with Bella, just like this picture. Have fun up there in doggy heaven.❤️” The 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 dogs have filled the golfer’s life with joy and love. Even she has never left a chance to praise or showcase the importance.

via Imago

After the unfortunate loss of Bella in 2023, Esmee has been the closest to her. At the beginning of the year, she even posted about her home practice session and how her father and Esmee calmly watched her practice.

Her grief is one many golf fans will recognize. Earlier this year, Paige Spiranac also opened up about the devastating loss of her beloved dog, sharing with fans on Twitter that, “I’ll miss you for the rest of mine.” Much like Hull, Spiranac’s connection with her pet had been deeply personal, and their stories remind us that even the biggest stars on the course carry the same everyday heartbreaks as their fans.

Hull’s love for her pets is something she shares with many of her LPGA peers. Brittany Lincicome, for instance, has spoken about the joy she finds in the company of her pets, which include a 140-pound Rottweiler named Major and a petite sugar glider she affectionately calls Nibbles. Likewise, Ally Ewing, after closing the chapter on her LPGA career, marked the moment by welcoming a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Rusty into her home, celebrating the start of a new life chapter with a loyal companion by her side.

Apart from dogs, there is another LPGA Player who has even lost her beloved pet cat this season.

Nelly Korda’s heartfelt goodbye to her furry friend of 15 years

Earlier this year, Nelly Korda, the reigning World No. 1, also opened up about a devastating personal loss off the course. The golfer revealed that her beloved cat, Rafi of fifteen years had passed away. In a deeply emotional message, Korda wrote that she had lost a big piece of her heart, expressing just how much her feline companion had meant to her throughout her journey.

The love for her pets is something many LPGA pros share in common. Brittany Lincicome, for instance, has spoken about the joy she finds in the company of her pets, which include a 140-pound Rottweiler named Major and a petite sugar glider she affectionately calls Nibbles. Likewise, Ally Ewing, after closing the chapter on her LPGA career, marked the moment by welcoming a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Rusty into her home, celebrating the start of a new life chapter with a loyal companion by her side.

These moments strike a chord with fans as they highlight that, beyond the victories, titles, and spotlight, golfers too endure the kind of grief and happiness that many can relate to the pain of saying goodbye to a pet who was family, but also the feeling of having a new family member and growing old with them..